Heathrow will halt flights during the Queen’s funeral

Arrivals and departures from the airport will be stopped on different occasions on Monday.

The measure aims at the noise made by the air-planes not to disrupt ceremonial processions at Windsor and the moments of silence at the end of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

The decision will change 15 per cent of Heathrow’s schedule on Monday, as British Airways will cancel more or less 50 flights due to the special ceremonies. Moreover, some of the roads will also close, while the airport’s representatives have already advised people to use other means of transportation in order to reach their flights. Affected passengers will be constantly updated about the schedule changes by their operator.

“As a mark of respect, operations to and from the airport will be subject to appropriate changes in order to avoid noise disruption at certain locations at specific times on Monday. Heathrow and airlines are working closely with Nats to minimise the impact of these restrictions on passengers.

“Passengers affected by these changes will be contacted directly by their airlines about their travel plans and the options available to them. Passengers who have been notified that their flight has been cancelled, and/or do not have a confirmed seat on a flight, should not turn up to the airport,” official Heathrow representatives declared.

British Airways also stated: “As a mark of respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral, we have reduced our schedule and retimed some flights at Heathrow to ensure the skies are quiet at certain moments on Monday 19 September. Our thoughts remain with the royal family and the nation.”

The funeral will be projected on airport screens. Heathrow warned passengers about the inconvenience, while declaring that the schedule change “is the right thing to do at a time of national mourning”. However, Gatwick and London City airports are expected to operate flights as usual.

Heathrow airport disruptions on Monday:

• 11.40am-12.10pm: no take-offs or landings
• 1.45-2.20pm: no arrivals
• 3.05-4.45pm: no departures
• 4.45-9pm: reduced departure rate

At the same time, UK’s major supermarkets have also announced they will be closed for most of the day, until at least 5pm.

 

Source: theguardian.com